However, Mr McVeigh says his department has looked into the impact of the changes and he expects the facility to still function effectively.

"This means a change in the process - that means a change from research to more operational work," he said.

"But I'm totally confident that we've got those issues covered in and around Charters Towers and right across the state.

Mr McVeigh says his department has a focus on getting the expertise rural people need out in the field.

"I have in fact employed a new operational position, in other words someone who's out working with local government to actually combat weeds in the field, so to speak, starting there in the last couple of weeks," he said.